It was a whacking fun day at the Valkyrie State School’s 10-year anniversary Mini Olympics fundraiser and raised $35,000 in funds for the school.
The event took place on Saturday 2 September at the Valkyrie State School in Nebo with a line of 12 teams eager to become the 2023 champions.
The Valkyrie State School P and C Vice President Monique Bethel said the school needed the funds.
“Firstly, being a small, rural school of currently only nine students, the funds raised from this event are very much needed to pour back into our beautiful, little school,” she said.
“The funds will help contribute to essential upgrades to educational resources and facilities and improvements and maintenance around the school and its grounds.
“The Valkyrie State School is the ‘hub’ of the community, and this event gives past families and members of the school an opportunity to reminisce and reconnect.”
Each team was selected to play four of the six sports, including Cricket, Tennis, volleyball, T-ball, Golf, Trivia and the Ironman challenge.
To keep the kids entertained, face painting, balloon twisting, a jumping castle and a merry-go-round were placed in the school’s designated play areas.
The highlight of the day for the children was the annual Lolly Drop where a local flies their helicopter and throws lollies out on the oval.
At the end of the day, there were presentations, numerous raffles, and the red hot auction.
Various companies, businesses and families donated all of the prizes and gifts from the raffle and auction from across the region.
“On behalf of the Valkyrie P and C, we would like to extend our heartfelt thanks and gratitude for the extremely generous donations and financial assistance the school has received to help make the Mini Olympics such a resounding success,” Monique said.
“It has been truly humbling and we are all extremely grateful for the funds raised from the event.
“We are sincerely grateful for all the support we have received thus far from the Mini Olympics and would greatly appreciate the ongoing support for the 50-year celebrations.”
This year, the Valkyrie P and C brought in a new award on behalf of the Mini Olympics founder, Stewart Green, called the Stewart Green Sportsmanship Award.
“The new award is a token of our gratitude and appreciation for Stewart Green and his hard work and dedication in getting the Mini Olympics up and running 10 years ago,” Monique said.
The results
Valkyrie Mini Olympics 2023 Champions: Isaac River Renegades.
Ironman challenge winners: Isaac River Renegades.
The best-dressed team: Croydon Critters.
The Stewart Green Sportsmanship Award: Jess Lowe.
The Female Encouragement Award: Tiahni Hewat.
The Male Encouragement Award: Matt Saunders.
The Wooden Spooners: The Rangers.
The Gundy Award (funniest moment): Pam Davison.
Congratulations to all the teams and people who participated in the event and who continue to show their unwavering support for the school.
What’s next?
Next year, instead of holding the annual Mini Olympics fundraiser, the school has decided to celebrate its 50-year anniversary.
“We are still very much in the planning phase at the moment, so there’s still much to be decided on and confirmed,” Monique said.
“We are planning to have a nice formal lunch, with guest speakers, unveilings of commemorative tokens and a wide range of memorabilia on display.”
The 50-year accomplishment will be celebrated on Saturday 22 June 2024.
